One Month Ahead: Deep-Dish Apple Pie

Have Ina’s showstopping pie at the ready by freezing it ahead of time. After assembling, put the entire pie — greased tin and all — into a loose-fitting plastic bag and seal tightly. Transfer it to the refrigerator the night before baking to thaw, and the next day you’ll have a fresh, juicy apple pie on your table in about an hour.

Vegetable soups can be easily frozen if they don't have cream or eggs, making them an excellent do-ahead appetizer. The warm curry flavor in Ina Garten's butternut squash soup will still be nicely preserved when you reheat just before serving. For an extra jump-start, cube the onions and squash ahead of time.

One Week Ahead: Food Network Kitchen's Perfect Cranberry Sauce

Cross cranberry sauce off your to-do list early by making it ahead and then freezing it. Our straightforward recipe is easy to pull together with a few simple ingredients, and the citrus will give your sauce a fresh zing, even after reheating on the stove.

One Week Ahead: Best Pie Crust Ever

Aaron Sanchez's fail-safe perfect pie crust can be rolled out and frozen in advance — and will actually benefit from some freezing time. Chilling the dough will give it more flakiness and flavor, in addition to giving you more valuable kitchen time.

Brining is a simple, hands-off way to infuse your turkey with flavor before it even hits the oven. Chef Anne’s recipe maximizes taste but minimizes prep by having the turkey sit in the no-cook apple cider brine for 2 to 3 days.

With just some herbs and olive oil, this side from Giada De Laurentiis highlights the taste and crunchy texture of root vegetables. Cut up your veggies two days ahead, and then let the oven do all the work right before serving.

The Day Before: The Neelys' Old School Sweet Potato Souffle

Finish most of your prep work early for this comforting side from the Neelys by boiling and mashing your sweet potatoes a day ahead. Let them come up to room temperature before using, and then you're just about ready to start baking.

The Day Before: The Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie

Letting the pie sit overnight makes Ree Drummond's version of this classic a natural do-ahead dessert. Cool the pie on the countertop before refrigerating, and then let the pie come to room temperature the next day before serving.